4 Fishing Trips Later, I Finally Landed a Monster Fish! (My Frustrating & Epic Journey)

Okay, let’s cut to the chase-fishing isn’t always “reel in a trophy before lunch.” Sometimes it’s “sit in the sun for 3 hours, watch minnows steal your bait, and question why you even bought that fancy rod.” That’s been my vibe for the past month. Four trips. Zero big catches. Until last weekend. Oh man, did I finally get my win. Let’s spill the tea (or the lake water, I guess).

First, Let’s Recap the “Fail” Trips (Because They’re Necessary for the Glow-Up)

You can’t appreciate the big win without the tiny, soul-crushing losses. Am I right? Let’s go through each of my 3 failed trips before the big one. Spoiler: They’re all low-key hilarious (now, at least).

Trip 1: The “I Forgot My Bait” Disaster

First trip: I packed my rod, my new waders (that I definitely overpaid for), my tackle box… but forgot the live bait. Like, the whole reason fish bite? Gone. I rummaged through my car and found a half-eaten bag of corn chips. Desperate times, desperate measures. I tied a chip to my hook. Shocker: No fish. A seagull stole it, though. So that’s a win? No. No it’s not.

Trip 2: The “Line Tangled with a Tree” Special

Trip 2: I remembered bait (win!) but decided to fish near a tree overhanging the water. Big mistake. My line got caught on a branch, I yank too hard, and the whole rod flies into the lake. I had to wade in (ruining my fancy waders, RIP) to grab it. By the time I got back, my bait was gone, and I was soaked. Also, a duck stared at me like I was an idiot. Fair.

Trip 3: The “Minnows Outsmart Me” Episode

Trip 3: I thought, “Maybe I’ll use a lure instead of live bait! That’s fancy!” So I bought a shiny silver lure that looked like a minnow. I cast it out, waited… and waited… and waited. Then I reeled it in, and the lure was gone. Like, completely. Did a fish eat it? No. Later, I saw a minnow swimming around with the lure attached to its fin. That tiny fish outsmarted me. I went home and ate a sad sandwich.

Then Came Trip 4: The One That Changed Everything

By trip 4, I was this close to selling my rod on Facebook Marketplace. I packed my gear with zero enthusiasm. I even brought a book to read if nothing happened. Spoiler: I didn’t read the book. At all.

Setting the Scene: Where, When, and Why I Almost Quit Before Casting

I chose a new spot-this quiet cove on the lake that my friend mentioned once. It was early morning, so the water was calm, and the sun was just peeking over the trees. But I was still bitter. I sat down, tied on my bait (finally remembered it!), and cast it out. Then I pulled out my book. And then…

…my rod bent. Like, really bent. Not the “oh, a minnow” bend. The “holy crap, this is something big” bend.

The Fight: 2 Minutes of Panic and Pride

I froze for a second. Then I screamed (quietly, because I didn’t want to scare the fish). I grabbed the rod, and the fish took off. It pulled my line so hard, my reel started screaming. I held on for dear life-my hands were sweating, my legs were shaking, and I kept thinking, “Don’t drop the rod! Don’t drop the rod!”

It took 22 minutes. 22. Minutes. The fish kept diving deep, then darting to the surface. I had to adjust my drag twice (thank goodness I remembered how to do that from that one YouTube video I watched at 2 a.m.). At one point, I thought it was going to break my line. But then… I saw it.

It was huge. Like, “oh my god, that’s bigger than my dog” huge. I can’t even guess the weight-maybe 20 pounds? 2? I was too busy panicking to check. But when I finally pulled it to the shore, I just stared. I couldn’t believe it.

The Aftermath: Bragging Rights (and a Very Tired Me)

I took so many photos. So many. I even called my mom (she didn’t care, but I made her listen anyway). Then I released it back into the lake-no, I didn’t keep it. I’m not that greedy. I just wanted the win. The feeling of landing that fish? Worth every failed trip, every tangled line, every seagull that stole my bait.

What I Learned (Besides That Fishing Is Hard)

Okay, let’s get real. Four trips to land one big fish? That’s not exactly a pro move. But I learned a few things that might help you (or at least make you feel better if you’re also struggling).

• Patience is not optional. It’s mandatory. I used to cast every 5 seconds. Now I wait 10-15 minutes. Big difference.
• Know your spot. The cove I fished on trip 4? It’s shallow near the shore but deep right off the edge. Fish love that.
• Don’t be afraid to change your bait. On trip 4, I used nightcrawlers instead of the minnow I used on trip 3. Maybe that’s why it worked?
• YouTube is your friend. I rewatched 3 videos on “how to fight big fish” the night before trip 4. Total game-changer.

My Next Move: Will I Keep Fishing? (Spoiler: Yes)

After that win, I’m hooked (pun totally intended). I already bought a new lure (shiny, of course) and a better reel. My next trip is next weekend-same spot, same time. Will I land another monster? Maybe. Maybe not. But that’s the fun of fishing, right? The unknown. The thrill of the bite. The “oh my god, did I just do that?” moment.

Oh, and if you’re also struggling? Don’t give up. I was this close to quitting, and now I have a story to tell for years. Just keep casting. And remember: the next bite could be the big one.

Oh, and one more thing-if you see a minnow with a silver lure on its fin? That’s mine. If you catch it, let me know. I want my lure back.